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It did not take me long to decide on what ad to analyze while thumbing through People magazine. The ad displays a new body bar with massagers by Olay. In addition to the visual appeal were scratch and sniff sections. I was mesmerized. Who wouldn't want to feel like they've just stepped out of a spa in their own shower? A luxuriously clean experience is what most would love to experience. The layout contains decorated bar boxes and actual bars showing the massaging points balanced together perfectly in the center. To add to the peaceful mood was a sea of light blue waters filling the white space. It was a dream from paradise. The slow ripples flowing from left to right added wonderful movement. Even better is the claim that states the product is "A lavishing bar that breaks the mold without breaking the bank" (Olay). You mean I can have the pampering of a movie star at a reasonable price? Consider me a customer.

Elements of an Effective Layout

According to Dorothy Cohen's "Elements of an Effective Layout," it is imperative that ad designers consider balance, proportion, movement, utility, clarity/simplicity, and emphasis. Cohen reminds us that "The message to be communicated may be sincere, relevant, and important to the consumer, but because of the competitive 'noise' in the communication channel, the opportunity to be heard may depend on the effectiveness of the layout" (Cohen 214). Basically, create an advertisement that is visually pleasing and smartly promoted using the key elements. The most important element is unity because it ties the laces of the advertisement together. Unity brings together all the elements by using basic shapes, sizes, textures, color, and mood. The least important element would probably be movement. I have noticed that movement is not included in all advertisements. It seems to be an added bonus feature that is not vital in the promotion of the product. I remember discussing some of this in high school journalism when I was a news writer. That was years ago, so it is a wonder the information has stayed in my head.

Democracy of Goods

In Roland Marchand's Democracy of Goods, the main idea is that companies should promote equal access to products. He uses a Cream of Wheat advertisement for a model of consumer democracy. The ad speaks of a wealthy child who was "born with a silver spoon." One of the luxuries provided to him is enjoying Cream of Wheat for breakfast. This appeals to lower class consumers as they are able to afford this fine food. Perhaps subconsciously they think if they eat Cream of Wheat they, too, can have a taste of the sunshine. The ad states, "Every mother can give her youngster the fun and benefits of a Cream of Wheat breakfast." The claim appeals to the parent, who strives to give her child the best opportunities available. This type of ad works well for common products like cereal, but not for higher-end products truly associated with the rich.

Advertising

It takes a creative advertisement to capture my attention. I am sure that most would agree that advertising has become obnoxious. I enjoy the ads that utilize humor. Call me silly if you like, but my friend and I laugh uncontrollably at the all-state insurance commercials. She has them all downloaded on her phone. The guy in the commercials slips into different characters in order to show viewers how important reliable insurance is. One favorite is where he acts like he is a direction device on the phone. He tells the driver, "Turn right...NOW!" The guy turns on to a sidewalk full of people while crashing into cars. Then the character smiles as he says, "You have reached your destination."

Another ad I have admired is one that does not utilize humor, but uses fashion and comfort. It's the pajama pant infomercial. Who wouldn't want to look good while wearing jeans that feel like pajamas? Heck, yes. The only problem is they are $50 per pair. That is a turnoff.

Effective Argument

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote a very effective persuasive letter. He used an assertive and intellectual tone along with emotion to appeal to readers. As he writes to his jailers, leaders of the community, fellow blacks, and the nation as a whole, Dr. King justifies his actions and encourages those being oppressed to stand together and denounce the hate against them. Emotion was used a few times during the letter, which was an effective way to reach out to the readers and let them feel what Dr. King felt. For example, "But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim..."(p. 158). This thought goes on for many more lines as he describes emotional details of how tormented life is for the blacks. Dr. King uses Bible passages to appeal to his fellow clergymen and others in an effort to demoralize segregation. Overall, his letter was delivered in an effective way in order to convince others of his views and to justify his actions. It was a good example of how a persuasive piece should be written.

Topic!

The topic for my persuasive essay involves the importance of manufacturing and purchasing American made and owned products. Brief supporting points include creating new jobs to decrease the unemployment rate, generating money back into the American government, and producing safe products. It is not difficult to purchase American made merchandise. There is a website I will include that offers a list of common American made store products that are easy to purchase without much price difference. I hope this topic is acceptable!

Logical Fallacies

1. Bandwagon Appeals

    Example:  It is okay if I smoke cigarettes. Everyone else does and they are fine. I've known people who have smoked for years and they are very healthy individuals.

     Fallacy Explanation:  Smoking is statistically unhealthy. The website for the Center for Disease and Control states that over 443,000 Americans (over 18 percent of all deaths) die because of smoking each year. Secondhand smoke kills about 50,000 of them.

2. Name Calling

    Example:  The 43rd president of the United States, George Walker Bush, is an ignorant redneck from Texas.

    Fallacy Explanation:  George W. Bush has a lot of education under his belt and is known for being the "education president" for promoting learning. According to Wikipedia, Bush attended Yale University from 1964-1968 and received a degree in History. Later, in 1975 he earned his Masters of Business Administration from Harvard. He is currently the only president who has earned an MBA.

3. Polarization

    Example:  Politicians are all dishonest liars.

    Fallacy Explanation:  It is unfair to group politicians together and define them all as having untruthful personalities. There are several politicians whose agendas are to fight hard for the citizens and offer feasible solutions to pressing issues. Let us not forget Honest Abe!

Persuasive Point

Recently, I talked with a friend named Katie about the importance of wearing a seatbelt as we were driving around town. She did not accept the advice at the time and appeared to not be listening. I told her about a childhood friend I had who died as a result of not wearing a seatbelt. He asked a buddy to drive him home one night. The buddy had a brand new car and was speeding down the road when a deer jumped in front of the car. The driver swerved to miss the animal and hit a tree. My friend was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected through the windshield. He passed at the scene of the accident at the age of fifteen. I also pointed out to Katie the importance of setting an example for her children.

Last week, Katie was driving her kids to school. She hit a pothole and the driver door swung wide open. I was so happy to hear that she had taken my advice that day and put on the seatbelt. She said she did it that morning because she remembered our conversation. Katie could have suffered serious injuries. I couldn't help but think someone bigger than me had a part in this. She said she will wear a seatbelt every time she drives now.

Style

The reminders in the approach to style chapter of The Elements of Style are not rules, they are simply the opinion of a writer. There are good and bad points present in anyone's opinion. It is also a rather broad description of the way one should write. There are many different kinds of writing-research, persuasive, technical, creative, etc. where these reminders would not be relevant.
For example, reminder number 17 to not inject one's opinion (p.70) is ill-advised for a writer who has an editorial column in the newspaper or for someone who is writing a persuasive piece. Someone who is writing poetry might find it difficult to do so when they are not supposed to use fancy words (p.76).
There are good points as well. Writing in a way that comes naturally (p.70) is something every writer should strive for. Each has his own unique style. If the work an author has crafted is awkward to him, it will be unusual to the reader. Making sure the reader knows who is speaking (p.76) is also a valid reminder. Confusion in a story is never welcome.
I have the most trouble accepting reminders such as avoid using fancy words (p.76) and prefer the standard to the offbeat. Writing is an art. It is a masterpiece woven from one's heart. "Fancy words" add to the beauty. Not many people view a plain piece of art with little color and detail as stunning and breathtaking. A piece of literature, whether it is a book or an essay, should provoke some sense of awe in a reader. A less standard way of writing pushes the envelope for a deeper level of reading pleasure. After all, society has not grown from people who think everything should stay the same. Just as technology and industry have been developed, writing should also flourish and sprout new buds. What would this author who wrote these reminders have said to Mark Twain in his era? Would he have said you cannot write that way because it just doesn't follow the standards? I say offbeat is the way to go!

Muddiest Point #2

The muddiest point in the narrative essay is figuring out the structure to use. How many paragraphs in the body are too little? How much is too much? Since a story is being told, I am not sure if a narrative essay has a more structured skeleton than introduction, body, and conclusion. I believe I wrote six paragraphs in the body of the essay.

Examples

Amy Tan's approach to language as written in "Mother Tongue" is that language should be based on the way her mother's speech is structured-her intent, her passion, her imagery, the rhythms of her speech, and the nature of her thoughts. Tan speaks about how others view her mother's English as "broken." In Tan's eyes, her mother's language is beautiful because it presents all the main points of an idea. It is the language she has grown up with. Although Tan was embarrassed of her mother's speech as a child, she blossomed in realizing that language should not be focused on the proper mechanics and rules. She denounces the critics and proclaims that her mother praised Tan's book as easy to read. That is how Tan bases her writing success.
In "Me Talk Pretty One Day," David Sedaris is in a reverse role as the person who is speaking the "broken" language. He is humorous as he writes about an instructor in France who is very critical of his not-so-fluent French speaking skills. He struggles to study hard and please her with his growing knowledge. He speaks of hiding himself from people because he does not feel he is communicating well enough in the French language. He becomes proud as the instructor criticizes him and he understands every word she is saying. Sedaris writes, "Understanding doesn't mean that you can suddenly speak the language. Far from it. It's a small step, nothing more, yet its rewards are intoxicating and deceptive" (p.290).
I think that the way an author develops thoughts come from their life experiences and their personalities. Tan and Sedaris were on different sides of the coin with their language experiences. Sedaris uses humor to convey his message. Tan writes more modestly as she defends her mother's honor and way of speech.

Research

My narrative is based on an experience I had when I was fifteen years old. I traveled to a Navajo reservation in Utah with my family in order to help a church with their vacation bible school. I remember the sizzling heat of the summer, the wonderful people, and the adventures I encountered. I was unsure at first of how to relate to the Navajo because it was a new culture and I did not know their ways. I wondered if they would even welcome my presence there. I soon became comfortable around the Navajo. Their customs were amazing and I looked forward to learning more. I realized that the Navajo people had taught me that it is alright for someone to live differently than another because we can all appreciate the beauty in culture.

Mechanics

I would have to say that in regards to the mechanics of writing, I tend to place emphatic words at the beginning of a sentence instead of at the end. I was under the impression that the main thought is at the beginning of the sentence in order to emphasize a point and to catch a reader's attention. According to page 32 of The Elements of Style, "The proper place in the sentence for the word or group of words that the writer desires to make most prominent is usually the end." I am sure I made many mistakes on the last paper with breaking this rule, but I will try to be more aware of this for the narrative essay!

Muddiest Point

I did not have any trouble understanding the directions for the summary assignment. I felt the assignment was straightforward and detailed. I appreciate the clarity. The one suggestion I would make is that, in addition to reading the essays, perhaps we could have read some examples of summaries to be even more certain of the task at hand.

College Pressures

I really enjoyed reading William Zinnser's "College Pressures." It brought a smile to my face to read his observations of students and their behavior. As a non-traditional student, I have encountered a different set of obstacles than most students. I have walked in the shoes of the younger students before. Several years ago I mainly faced parental pressures. As described in "College Pressures" my parents paid for my schooling and I, in turn, had certain expectations to meet. I did not have direction and was not sure of what I wanted to do. I dropped out of school because I was weary of wasting my time and my parent's money.

Fast forward to modern day. I am married with four children and my own bills to pay. I am not only expected to be a good student, but also a wife, a mother, a daughter, a teacher, a cook, a maid, a taxi driver, a financial bookkeeper, and the list goes on. There is much pressure on women of my age (30) to be everything to everyone and to do a perfect job maintaining a perfect balance. In my situation, the mommy club looks down on me for striving to improve my education and do something good for myself. After all, my world should only revolve around my children. On the other hand, I do not quite fit in with the successful women club either because I decided to stay home with my young children for so long instead of accomplishing a career. 

I also face challenges with my six-year-old, who has autism. He receives therapy for speech, motor skills, and social skills. Some days are really good and some days are bad and all he needs is for me to hold him and try to understand what he is feeling. On those bad days, there is not much schoolwork that gets done as his behaviors exhaust both of us. I found a paper he colored for me at school yesterday. It was me and him with his arms stretched out hugging me. Below, he wrote, "I love my mom." Those are the sweet moments I hold dear.

I welcome challenges because they help me grow and appreciate the areas in which I have succeeded and failed. The older I become, the less I am worried about change. Change is one of the only constants life offers. It helps us to gain wisdom as we adapt to new experiences.

The way I try to alleviate my college pressures is to stay ahead in assignments so that if something arises, I can be prepared to deal with it instead of stressing because I have a project due. I also maintain a positive attitude always so that I do not defeat myself.

Challenging Course Instructor

I have always tried to maintain a positive attitude towards every class I am involved in. This is the best way for me to achieve success instead of dwelling on difficult concepts and instructors who are not clear in their communication. There will always be classes that are less than desirable. One I recall, in particular, was a math course I took years ago at Allen County Community College. Let me begin by stating that math and I have never been friends. It was the start of the semester and I was not understanding the material entirely.  The teacher seemed unavailable to the students so I got no help with that avenue. I was sitting in class waiting for the results of the first test to be handed back. When I received my grade, I hung my head and looked at the test trying to comprehend my mistakes. The instructor began discussing the problems and the solutions. I listened while still looking down at the test. He thought I was not paying attention. His perception caused him to scold me in front of all the class with these words, "Heather, if you would pay attention more in class perhaps you would not have received the grade you did." I was very upset and told him that I didn't belong in a class with a rude instructor. I walked out, dropped the class, and filed a complaint. It was a bad experience. I took the class again the next semester with a different instructor and received an A. I knew I had done the right thing by dropping the first course.

Thoughts about "On Keeping a Notebook" by Joan Didion

"On Keeping a Notebook" by Joan Didion was insightful, though somewhat slow and unorganized. The essay indeed reflects the manner in which thoughts flow and, therefore, adds validity to the structure. As the literature states, the notion of keeping a notebook holds different meanings. Didion writes, "So the point of my keeping a notebook has never been, nor is it now, to have an accurate factual record of what I have been doing or thinking" (page 77). Also, Didion reflects on moments in her life and makes this observation, "It is a good idea, then, to keep in touch, and I suppose that keeping in touch is what notebooks are all about" (page 81). She used her notebook to record things she saw around her that she felt held importance. I believe less people today keep a tangible journal. Notebooks have been replaced by social computer networks such as Facebook and Twitter. I do not keep a notebook, but I do however have a Facebook account that I utilize to stay connected to others and to post about important observations in my life. Just like a notebook, my Facebook postings have special meaning to me, but not necessarily to all the readers. Other users post things that they deem relevant. The words of Didion sum up the desire behind keeping a notebook, "But our notebooks give us away, for however dutifully we record what we see around us, the common denominator of all we see is always, transparently, shamelessly, the implacable "I," (page 79).

Introduction

Hello! I am new to the blog concept so please practice patience with me. My name is Heather. I am considered a junior at Washburn. I am working to achieve a bachelor of science in nursing degree. I have lived in Overbrook, which is south of Topeka, for seven years. I have been married for eleven years and have four children, ages 9, 6, 4, and 3. Online classes are ideal for my busy lifestyle.
I am taking this course because it is a requirement for my major. I have always enjoyed expressing ideas through writing and am looking forward to a great class!